Impact of Historical Networks on ODA Distribution in Africa

1 School of Culture and Society - Japan Studies, subject, School of Culture and Society, Arts, Aarhus University2 School of Culture and Society - Japan Studies, subject, School of Culture and Society, Arts, Aarhus University

Abstract:

Aid relationships in Africa often rely on centuries old networks established by various flows of migrants, students, merchants, colonial administrators, and missionaries. The paper is a mapping of some of the concrete histories of connections between three African countries: Tanzania, Ghana, and Nigeria and their different partner countries in Asia and Europe. The main aim is to see Japanese and Danish/EU Africa strategies as part of a long history of a variety of stakeholders on the African continent. The paper is also a proposal for a larger research project partly inspired by the book Aid Relationship in Asia where the concept of 'donor management' evolved during an exploration of ownership in aid relationships. 'Donor management' requires the presence of several partner countries with different interests in and potential contributions to a country, which a government can then choose between or choose to combine in its own interest.